Are all human beings created equal, or not?
It’s a common question that anyone would ponder at least once or twice, or perhaps dozens to hundreds of times between birth and death.
And most people would likely answer with “No.” Society continuously preaches equality, and since the consensus around the world is that people ought to be equal, quite a few would reply “Yes” if asked in public.
However, those who truly believe it from the bottom of their heart are likely a very small minority.
Well, the grass always looks greener on the other side, so I suppose it can’t be helped.
Taking all that into account, if I were to give an answer to this question— “Well, eventually everyone gets cremated into ash, so isn’t everyone equal?
The end.” “Please don’t end it there.
That’s far too dismissive, and nobody is going to be convinced by an answer like that.” “Hmm?
…Ah, right, cremations aren’t really the norm overseas, are they?” “That is not the issue here.” Giving an exasperated sigh, my best friend Arisu shot me a judgment-filled glare.
“That’s a pretty rude reaction considering you brought up the subject yourself, Arisu.
Honestly, that side of you is a turnoff.” “What a coincidence, Kiriha.
I also think you ought to fix your overly reckless behavior.
And your sharp, scary eyes.” “Mind your own business.
Speaking of which, look at your own hair.
What’s with that hair color—you look like a failed visual-kei musician.” “It’s my natural hair, so it can’t be helped.
Though I do occasionally get strange looks for it…
Oh, but I suppose that’s a completely foreign concept to a plain, boring black-haired guy like you.” “Twisted, black-hearted woman.” “Wannabe-fantasista dogeza guy.” For a while, we took full advantage of the opportunity to roast each other’s flaws without holding back.
To an outside third party who didn’t know us well, it might have looked like a tense atmosphere, but we normally enjoy these kinds of bantering exchanges quite often.
It’s precisely because we know a little argument like this won’t put a crack in the bond we forged during our turbulent middle school years that we can hurl insults at each other so freely.
It has been three years since Arisu and I first faced each other.
Now, in the middle of April’s entrance ceremony, we were heading toward the high school we would be attending for the next three years…
inside the Sakayanagi family’s limousine.
While riding in such a textbook-cliché rich kid transport stood out like a sore thumb, I knew sending Arisu—who has congenital heart disease—on a public bus commute was out of the question, and Kiriha-kun isn’t heartless enough to flat-out reject an invitation from a friend.
Despite how she looks, she gets surprisingly lonely.
While fooling around like that, we eventually arrived.
After saying goodbye to the driver and stepping out of the limousine, we walked a bit and saw a gate made of processed natural stone.
Underneath that gate—funded generously by the taxpayers’ hard-earned money—young people wearing the same uniform as us filed through one after another, hearts filled with anticipation and anxiety.
This is Advanced Nurturing High School in Tokyo.
A government-backed school where Arisu’s father serves as the chairman of the board, built to foster the young talent who will support Japan’s future.
“Each and every one of them is a rough diamond gathered from all over the country…
It’s thrilling to think about how much they will entertain us.” “‘Us’?
…Unlike you, I don’t have a hobby of making toys out of inferiors to torment them, you know.” “My, what a terrible thing to say.
You make me sound like some kind of monster.” “You basically are, you sadist.
Don’t tell me you forgot about the injury on my finger.” “Forget?
I didn’t even know about it in the first place.
This is the first time I’m hearing of such a wound.” “I peeled off a hangnail too far yesterday.” “…Sigh.” I told you to stop sighing.
“…Hey, Arisu.” “…What is it, Kiriha?” “I feel like we stood out in a really bad way right off the bat on our first day.” “Presumably…
no, almost certainly, that was the cause.” “Habits are terrifying things, aren’t they?” “Indeed they are.” After checking our assigned class (by the way, both of us ended up in Class A), there was a flight of stairs on the way to the classroom.
Unable to break our habit from middle school, I naturally ended up carrying Arisu up the stairs in a princess carry.
Man, to think someone of my caliber made such a blunder.
Of course a guy and a girl acting out a scene straight out of a shojou manga right after enrolling would stand out.
Starting from the moment we began climbing, the barrage of curious and resentful stares coming from all directions made me realize my mistake.
But stopping halfway felt like admitting defeat to their gazes, so Arisu and I made eye contact while I was holding her horizontally and decided to press on.
I magnificently carried her all the way up the stairs.
It seems that sight was witnessed by several new students who were likely going to be our classmates, and the rumor quickly spread throughout Class A (and most likely to other classes as well).
What a mess.
Entering the classroom, I set up a little playful prank while looking for my desk, only to find that Arisu’s seat and mine were right next to each other.
Arisu’s dad is a righteous man who strictly abides by rules and regulations, so I doubt he pulled any strings, but I can’t help feeling a bit suspicious—proving that I, too, am only human.
Oh well, it’s going to be public knowledge sooner or later anyway.
Even if people around us ask if Arisu and I are in that kind of relationship, I’ll just keep doing what I’ve always done: neither confirming nor denying it.
That way, teenagers in the prime of their adolescence will jump to their own conclusions, preventing anyone from making a move on either of us in the future.
Dealing with affection from boring nobodies is a hassle anyway.
“Man, you two are really showing off right on the first day of the entrance ceremony.” “What, are you jealous, Hashimoto?
Want me to swap places with you?” “…Huh?
Really?” “‘I am terribly sorry, but I must decline your offer.'” “‘What a brazen playboy, get lost you trash’—that’s what she means.
Too bad for you, Hashimoto.” “Hey, what’s with that malicious translation!?
Are you telling me she’s thinking that behind that graceful smile?!” “Fufu, I’ll leave that to your imagination.” “Woah, you’re not even denying it…
Sakayanagi-san is way scarier than I thought.” “Anyway, being needlessly flirtatious is a deduction in my book.
Take off those earrings for starters—earlobes included.” “This guy is even scarier…” Even so, this guy named Hashimoto is engaging with us quite a lot despite sitting pretty far away…
Well, nine times out of ten, he’s just trying to get on the good side of Arisu and me early on, assuming we’ll emerge as prominent figures in the class.
As I mentally add Hashimoto to my “boring people” list, I decide to deepen our acquaintance for the time being.
No matter how boring someone is, I’m not cold enough to brush away a hand extended in friendship.
A superficial friendship full of ulterior motives?
Welcome aboard, Masayoshi Hashimoto.
A short while later, the bell rang to signal the start of class, and a man who looked like our homeroom teacher walked in.
He looked like the very definition of a strict, rule-bound educator.
“Nice to meet you all, freshmen.
I am Tomoya Mashima, the homeroom teacher for Class A.
My subject is English.
There are no class reshuffles between grades at this school, so I will be your homeroom teacher for the next three years until graduation.
The entrance ceremony will begin in an hour at the gymnasium, but before that, I will explain the special rules regarding this school.” With that, Mashima-sensei distributed handouts to the entire class and began his explanation.
That’s right—this school possesses unique aspects that simply don’t exist in ordinary high schools.
First off, all students are required to live in dormitories on campus, and leaving the premises during their enrollment is strictly forbidden, save for special exceptions like club matches or funerals of close relatives.
However, not even being allowed to contact your family…
even prisons have a bit more flexibility than this.
Though since the campus spans 600,000 square meters (about 12 or 13 Tokyo Domes, was it?) and functions like a whole town, living here doesn’t seem to pose any inconvenience at all.
And the second point…
the implementation of the S System.
Ah, it has nothing to do with Arisu, okay?
Though she really is a sadist.
“Kiriha?
Are you thinking something rude right now?” “Now then, I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re talking about.” The teacher is giving an important explanation, so shut up and listen.
Don’t try to subtly step on my foot with your cane under the desk.
“I will now distribute your student ID cards.
This ID serves as your identification and is also required to use the facilities on campus, so take care not to lose it.
Points are stored on your student ID, and these points act as a substitute for money.
Anything on this school’s campus can be purchased with points.” …Hmm, he subtly placed a tiny bit of emphasis on the word “anything.” Without moving my head, I scanned the classmates using only my eyes, and the ones who clearly picked up on that emphasis were…
two people.
One, needless to say, was Arisu smiling entertainingly next to me.
The other was a hairless, tough-looking male student sitting a bit far from here.
Hmm, both of them look like anything but high school freshmen, albeit in completely opposite ways.
“Kiriha?” “I said I don’t know.” I told you, stop aiming for my dominant leg with that cane.
Doing such violent acts while being aware of the covertly installed surveillance cameras?
“Points are valued at 1 point per 1 yen, and they are scheduled to be granted on the 1st of every month.
All freshmen have already been equally granted 100,000 points, so please speak up if there are any issues.” Whoops, the class suddenly buzzed at the unexpected windfall.
…Well, considering it’s an excessive amount for an average high schooler’s allowance, it’s understandable they didn’t catch the teacher’s playful wordplay.
Also, Sakayanagi-san, you look quite entertained over there.
You’re probably thinking dark thoughts like “They look so easy to manipulate” anyway.
“You may be surprised by the granted amount, but this school measures students by merit.
Being admitted to this school means your worth and potential have been evaluated accordingly.
Feel free to use them as you wish.
However, keep in mind that all points will be collected upon graduation and cannot be converted into cash.
It is also fine to transfer points you don’t need to someone else.
Extortion of any kind is, of course, strictly prohibited.
…Now then, are there any questions up to this point?” This is full of suspicious points…
but let’s leave it be.
Questioning things here to gain recognition from classmates isn’t my job as the soldier; it’s the job of Arisu, the general.
Seeming to understand that, Arisu and the bald guy from earlier raised their hands almost simultaneously.
“Hmm…
then let’s start with Katsuragi.” “How many points will be granted starting next month?” Oh, so he didn’t fall for the trick phrase either.
Mashima-sensei narrowed his eyes, looking somewhat pleased.
“…I cannot give an exact answer right now.
However, I will say that it depends on your future conduct.” Hearing that response, Katsuragi briefly glanced at the surveillance camera before thanking Teacher Mashima and sitting down, seemingly satisfied.
Looks like he’s quite a sharp guy, but…
well, let’s see how he performs in the future.
“Next, Sakayanagi.” “Earlier, you mentioned that anything on campus can be bought with points.
Does that mean, realistically speaking, things that normally cannot be purchased are also possible?” “…Yes, it is possible.
Provided, of course, it isn’t something completely absurd…
such as someone’s life.” Upon hearing that, Sakayanagi offered a smile, glanced at me, gave her thanks in the same manner, and sat back down.
Yeah, yeah, I get it.
“Is there anyone else with a question?
…In that case, feel free to do as you like until the entrance ceremony.” With those words, Mashima-sensei stepped out of the classroom.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Author’s Note: Kiriha-kun’s visual design is inspired by Captain Nijimura from Kuroko’s Basketball.
He has refined features, but his eyes are a bit sharp, giving people the impression of a “slightly intimidating, somewhat distant handsome guy”.
Though his personality on the inside is…
well, like this.
Also, due to Kiriha-kun’s influence, Arisu-chan’s intellect, trickiness, and banter-handling skills have received a buff compared to the original work!
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– TL Note This is Kiriha Honjo design with Arisu Sakayanagi (AI)